IIM Lucknow Interview Experience | PGP & PGP-ABM

IIM Lucknow Interview Experience

Calls: Both PGP & PGP-ABM
Interview Location: TAJ Bengal, Kolkata

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WAT Topic: Is greed necessary for success?

After close to 15mins of post-WAT waiting, I was called inside the interview room. The interviewers were a panel of two mid-aged gentlemen. Later it turned out that one of them was the PGP-Chairman of IIM Lucknow and the other was HOD ABM. So, the interview began on an unconventional note for me. Unlike of my other interviews, the interviewers asked me for my folder of documents which I used to carry in every interview but was never asked for it before. I handed my folder to the interviewers and while they were glancing at my credentials, I kept beaming all along.

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Interviewer 1: So, I see you have an exceptional academic record, why do you want to ruin your life by doing an MBA. You should not do an MBA.
Me: Justified my reason to do an MBA and answered multiple cross questions that followed. Stuck to my decision of doing an MBA until they were convinced.

Interviewer 1: Which other calls do you have? What’s your order of preference? Why don’t you join S.P. Jain or NITIE given that you’re an engineer?
Me: Sir, I have a profile based call from S.P.Jain(SPJIMR). Besides, I also have an interview call from IIM K, I, S, new IIMs, IIT Bombay (SJMSoM), NITIE, MDI among a few others. My top priorities are IIM Lucknow and SPJIMR.

Interviewer 2: So, you’re a mechanical engineer. Good. I see you have scored a perfect 10 in Industrial Engineering. Can you graphically derive Economic Ordering Quantity for me?
Me: Started with the mathematical equation. Drew some graphs and finally arrived at the expression. Since this was the most recurrent question asked to me, I was prepared with the answer.

Interviewer 1: Who is your life inspiration?
Me: Talked about how, being born in Jamshedpur, I have always been inspired by J.R.D Tata. Discussed his contribution to pioneering HR policies and revamped sectors like aviation, education and tribal welfare.

Interviewer 2: Questions on my hobby. (My hobby is reading and blogging). Cross questions that followed:

• Favourite Author.
• Favourite Genere.
• Booker Prize winners from India.
• Metrics to select a blog topic/title.
• How do you do keyword research?
• Why can’t blogging be a fulltime job?

This was followed by me showing them a couple of my articles from my blog. Back to the beaming mode. :P

Interviewer 1: Can you derive the relationship between AM and GM geometrically?
Me: Thinking of how to go about it. Given a hint that drawing a circle might help. Couldn’t crack it instantly but with the help of the interviewers, I could arrive at the required result.

Interviewer 2: What is your dream company?
Me: Answered.

Interviewer 2: Why did you apply for the PGP-ABM course besides PGP?
Me: My answer revolved around:

• Growth potential of the sector.
• The scope of management of various bottlenecks involved in the supply chain.
• The unique nature of the sector: Its demand never slumps.
• My willingness to grow while contributing to the grassroots.

Interviewer 1: What is your opinion about mushrooming new IIMs? Do you think they are required?
Me: I opined against the idea of having too many IIMs. Followed by a long discussion. I stuck to my stance while agreeing to disagree.

Interviewer 1: Whom would you nominate as the next presidential candidate of India?
Me: I named a few non-political figures. Followed by a discussion on why politicians alone shouldn’t be nominated for presidential candidature.

Interviewer 2: Why is your college called MANIT, Bhopal and why not simply NIT, Bhopal?
Me: Explained the relevance of Maulana Azad and why many NITs have a prefix to their names.

Interviewer 1: How do you think will the Start-up India campaign affect the entrepreneurial ecosystem of India? (I had been associated with a start-up.)

Interviewer 2: Asked some random GK questions on various cabinet ministers and demonetization.

Interviewer 1: What do you think is more integral, Performance or Conformance to define the quality of a product? (My work experience had Quality Control as one responsibility).

Interviewer 2: Do you have any questions for us?
Me: Had prepared a couple of questions on course structure and exchange opportunities. Asked them.

Thank you. Good Luck!

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General Tips & Pointers:

Prepare the following very well:

1. Behavioural answers: HR answers related to various life instances.
2. Undergrad subjects: One or two of them should suffice.
3. Work Experience: Not for freshers.
4. Hobby: This is very important.
5. Current affairs: Last 6 months should be good enough.
6. Questions for the interviewer: Make sure you have good questions for them.

 - Pratik Ranjan Verma